Colleen McCullough

[DATo]

@Dato

Could not have put it any better, great description. I did not get to finsish it yesterday but I will today. Did not know it was being made into a movie. I have my doubts that the novel can be crammed into feature film length without losing the heart of the story. Maybe they could change it slightly and have the movie revolve around the interview with Sonmi starting with the opening scene, much like "Interview with the Vampire".

Gannon,

Now that you are almost finished with Cloud Atlas I think you will appreciate this. Never thought I could love a trailer but this is an absolutely stunning and beautiful presentation which is all the more powerful if you know the story. The profoundly beautiful music truly captures the essence of the major themes which tie all the individual stories together. I was absolutely staggered by this trailer when I first saw it. I think you will recognize the scenes vividly from the book and appreciate how closely they capture the scenes in our minds as we read the novel.

ENJOY !!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWnAqFyaQ5s

- D

[Fran]

@DATo
WOW .... I've got to get my hands on Cloud Atlas, not really a fan of Tom Hanks but that trailer looks awesome

[DATo]

@DATo
WOW .... I've got to get my hands on Cloud Atlas, not really a fan of Tom Hanks but that trailer looks awesome :)

Greetings Fran !!!

I'm sure it is a bit hard for you to make sense of what is happening in the trailer of the movie if you have not read the book but the scenes describe six totally different times in history and six completely different groups of characters tied together only by the manuscript referred to in the opening scenes. The major theme of the novel is the interconnectedness of all humanity through the vast epochs of time. The book is an extraordinarily ambitious attempt on the part of the author to present a very deep philosophical idea that will probably be wasted on many who require simplistic literary or cinematic gratification. But for those of us who are willing to think a little about what the author is saying between the lines the story reaches a powerful and almost religious plateau of epiphany and sentiment which I felt was captured very well by the trailer.

The book was given to me by a friend who was particularly interested in the Sci-fi aspects of the novel but she did understand and appreciate the significance of the stories contained in the other five vignettes and the overall message the author is trying to sell. I am surprised that I have never mentioned this book before here on the forum ... as usual, I am often reluctant to mention books that I feel may not be appreciated by forum members and this book takes a dive into some pretty deep waters which may be too tedious for many to appreciate. Thanks to Gannon's mention of this book I have found the courage to expound a bit upon it ... and yes, I would, as mentioned to Maud, guardedly recommend it.

[Gannon]

DATo thanks so much for the link. If the film is even half as good as that trailer it will be nominated for a few awards I am sure. I have just ordered a signed first edition, first print. You have nailed the essence of the book with your post. It is so much more than a sci-fi. In fact it is almost impossible to pigeon-hole this novel into a single genre. I love how the novellas do not progress in chronological order, well they do in a sense until you get to the last one and then they reverse and head backwards from the sixth to the first. You would assume that it would make it hard to follow in places but with some amazing writing it flows along nicely.
Did you get the feeling that the different stories were written by different authors? Especially when you get to "The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish". With this novella, imho, Mitchell's writing almost takes on a comic style and I found myself laughing continually throughout this part of the book. I cannot praise MItchell enough. He handles the different genres, styles, and a massive cast of characters with skill.

It is the type of book that I will definitely read again. One question that you may be able to help me with, what is the significance of the comet birth mark? Each of the major characters carry this same birthmark. I feel that I have missed something here. Any ideas? Is it simply another way of tying the novellas together or is there an underlying meaning I have completely missed?

[DATo]

Hello Gannon !!!

Did that trailer have the same powerful impact on you as it did on me? I think you had to have read the book and know the story to really understand the beauty of that trailer. I think whoever directed it captured through the visuals, the music and especially the narration the essence of the book's theme. It really grabbed me the first time I saw it.

Yes, I did get the impression that each of the stories was told by a different narrator and I think this bespeaks the mastery of Mitchell as an author by using this device to help individualize each vignette and to give it its own voice so to speak. I too was curious about the significance of the comet birthmark. At first I took it to be an actual genetic link between the individuals who carried it but this proves impossible. It could be a reference to ancient lore which stated that a comet was portent of death for a king or emperor as in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar. I think the birthmark may more simply serve as a basic symbol of the continuity of life, specifically human life and nature throughout all the ages of man. Like you, I also got a few laughs out of 'The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish'. Compare the way this chapter is written with the Somni-451 chapter and once again you can see Mitchell's command and mastery of the pen by the quantum difference in style.

I have convinced myself to request a hold on the book from my library so I can read it again. To my astonishment and regret I just found out that there are something like 27 reserves on it so it must indeed be popular. I think the upcoming movie may have sparked a lot of sudden interest in the novel.

-- 11 Sep 2012, 03:45 --

EDIT TO LAST POST

I didn't finish the thought. That's what happens when you get a phone call in the middle of writing a post *LOL*

"Compare the way this chapter is written with the Somni-451 chapter and once again you can see Mitchell's command and mastery of the pen by the quantum difference in theme and the massive difference in style."

-- 11 Sep 2012, 03:49 --

Hello Gannon !!!

Did that trailer have the same powerful impact on you as it did on me? I think you had to have read the book and know the story to really understand the beauty of that trailer. I think whoever directed it captured through the visuals, the music and especially the narration the essence of the book's theme. It really grabbed me the first time I saw it.

Yes, I did get the impression that each of the stories was told by a different narrator and I think this bespeaks the mastery of Mitchell as an author by using this device to help individualize each vignette and to give it its own voice so to speak. I too was curious about the significance of the comet birthmark. At first I took it to be an actual genetic link between the individuals who carried it but this proves impossible. It could be a reference to ancient lore which stated that a comet was portent of death for a king or emperor as in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar. I think the birthmark may more simply serve as a basic symbol of the continuity of life, specifically human life and nature throughout all the ages of man. Like you, I also got a few laughs out of 'The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish'. Compare the way this chapter is written with the Somni-451 chapter and once again you can see Mitchell's command and mastery of the pen by the quantum difference in style.

I have convinced myself to request a hold on the book from my library so I can read it again. To my astonishment and regret I just found out that there are something like 27 reserves on it so it must indeed be popular. I think the upcoming movie may have sparked a lot of sudden interest in the novel.

-- 11 Sep 2012, 03:45 --

EDIT TO LAST POST

I didn't finish the thought. That's what happens when you get a phone call in the middle of writing a post *LOL*

"Compare the way this chapter is written with the Somni-451 chapter and once again you can see Mitchell's command and mastery of the pen by the quantum difference in theme and the massive difference in style."

-- 11 Sep 2012, 03:55 --

Hello Gannon !!!

Did that trailer have the same powerful impact on you as it did on me? I think you had to have read the book and know the story to really understand the beauty of that trailer. I think whoever directed it captured through the visuals, the music and especially the narration the essence of the book's theme. It really grabbed me the first time I saw it.

Yes, I did get the impression that each of the stories was told by a different narrator and I think this bespeaks the mastery of Mitchell as an author by using this device to help individualize each vignette and to give it its own voice so to speak. I too was curious about the significance of the comet birthmark. At first I took it to be an actual genetic link between the individuals who carried it but this proves impossible. It could be a reference to ancient lore which stated that a comet was portent of death for a king or emperor as in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar. I think the birthmark may more simply serve as a basic symbol of the continuity of life, specifically human life and nature throughout all the ages of man. Like you, I also got a few laughs out of 'The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish'. Compare the way this chapter is written with the Somni-451 chapter and once again you can see Mitchell's command and mastery of the pen by the quantum difference in style.

I have convinced myself to request a hold on the book from my library so I can read it again. To my astonishment and regret I just found out that there are something like 27 reserves on it so it must indeed be popular. I think the upcoming movie may have sparked a lot of sudden interest in the novel.

-- 11 Sep 2012, 03:45 --

EDIT TO LAST POST

I didn't finish the thought. That's what happens when you get a phone call in the middle of writing a post *LOL*

"Compare the way this chapter is written with the Somni-451 chapter and once again you can see Mitchell's command and mastery of the pen by the quantum difference in theme and the massive difference in style."

-- 11 Sep 2012, 03:58 --

Very sorry folks .... a vicious gremlin invaded my keyboard and it has a mind of its own *LOLOLOLOL*

[Gannon]

Hahaha, I thought to myself "What is DATo doing, now I am completely confused!"

[DATo]

Hahaha, I thought to myself "What is DATo doing, now I am completely confused!" :lol: :lol: :lol:

I wanted to edit just a few words in red and I forgot to add the "color-kill" code at the end. So I tried to do a REAL edit and it reposted the entire message in red. Then, like a Kentucky Fried Idiot, I attempted to edit out the mistake in my edit and now it posted the entire comment TWICE ... in RED no less.

So sorry for all the confusion. I will now go soak my head and see if I can wake myself up. FEAR NOT for I shall make no further attempts to edit ............. in red ................ or any other color for that matter. *LOL*

[Gannon]

Hahaha, I thought to myself "What is DATo doing, now I am completely confused!"

I wanted to edit just a few words in red and I forgot to add the "color-kill" code at the end. So I tried to do a REAL edit and it reposted the entire message in red. Then, like a Kentucky Fried Idiot, I attempted to edit out the mistake in my edit and now it posted the entire comment TWICE ... in RED no less.

So sorry for all the confusion. I will now go soak my head and see if I can wake myself up. FEAR NOT for I shall make no further attempts to edit ............. in red ................ or any other color for that matter. *LOL*

Hahaha no probs DATo. I know where you are coming from, that is why I asked you if you thought about different authors. Imho the two stories you have chosen to show your point are the best possible two.
Have your read any other novels by Mitchell?

I have "Ghostwritten" and "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet" in my collection and have read them both. However, having read them so long ago, I can not remember much from either of them. I do remember enjoying them though and will have to go back for a reread. I am going to order "Number9Dream" and "Black Swan Green" to complete the collection.

I would love to hear your thoughts on any of these novels if you have read them.

[DATo]

I have "Ghostwritten" and "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet" in my collection and have read them both. However, having read them so long ago, I can not remember much from either of them. I do remember enjoying them though and will have to go back for a reread. I am going to order "Number9Dream" and "Black Swan Green" to complete the collection.

I would love to hear your thoughts on any of these novels if you have read them. :D

I have not read any other books by Mitchell but if they are anything like Cloud Atlas I feel certain that they are ... (borrowing a page from the novel) ... in my future. *LOL*

-- 13 Sep 2012, 16:59 --

@DATo
WOW .... I've got to get my hands on Cloud Atlas, not really a fan of Tom Hanks but that trailer looks awesome :)

Fran,

Sorry for the late reply. Cloud Atlas has 6 stories that span many centuries. The book moves half way through each story till all of the tales are presented. The ending of this "introduction" to all of the vignettes, so to speak, takes place in the middle of the novel, the stories then go backwards to the beginning and resolve the plots. It is a really interesting device and I do not remember ever encountering it before in my reading.

If you read it let me know what you think of it.

[Maud Fitch]

.....Colleen McCullough rulz.....

[Gannon]

Maud, Maud, where have you been? I boot up the computer each day hoping, praying that you have left us a post, but alas once again I log off disappointed. But today, three little words appeared on my screen. I am still smiling, and those three little words have made my morning. Very glad that you are still out there and hope you are well, and yes you are right Colleen does rule!!

[Fran]

Maud, Maud, where have you been? I boot up the computer each day hoping, praying that you have left us a post, but alas once again I log off disappointed. But today, three little words appeared on my screen. I am still smiling, and those three little words have made my morning. Very glad that you are still out there and hope you are well, and yes you are right Colleen does rule!!

OMG ... Maud has gone all text speak on us

[Maud Fitch]

<Gannon searching in vain for Maud - read on>
The building shakes beneath your leather sandals. You hear maniacal laughter echo down the empty corridor. A female voice says “Greetings, gladiator Gannon”. You stumble forward, asking “Is that you Maud?” arms outstretched zombie-like, pushing away cobwebs, tripping over fallen parchments, slipping on the marble floor. “Where are you, Maud, are you okay?” At the end of the corridor a metal-studded door creaks open. A warm breeze swirls around you, smelling of volcanic ash. “Vesuvius is going to erupt. Your help is needed,” the voice intones. Your armour is heavy, your body aches, and when you pause against a Corinthian pillar, a crack starts to form at its base. You’re mesmerised by its rapid progress. There’s a sigh from above, a long exhaled breath “Hurry” which spurs you towards the door. Out on the hillside, you instinctively draw your sword and swing around but the door slams shut.....the elusive Maud has gone.....you look down the grassy knoll towards Pompeii. Already you can hear the cries of fear.....both you and the Gods know that Nero is useless, you must warn your fellow Romans, give them a chance at survival. With your shiny centurion headgear tucked under your arm, you’re on a mission, racing headlong down the slope with a battle cry of “Maaaud”.....

Excerpt from 'Elusive Maud'
(with apologies to Roman history and Colleen McCullough)

[Gannon]

Love, love, love it Maud. Can't wait to find out what happens next. I don't think any apologies are necessary. I think Colleen would want to read on as well.

Love the new avatar.

[Maud Fitch]

Thanks, Gannon. At the moment I'm all out of ideas for more Roman centurion adventures. Shame because your alter ego could get up to some crazy stunts, like lava jumping, lion taming, romancing vestal virgins, annoying the Emperor and drinking too much wine. Speaking of liquid over-indulgence, your fantastic new avator looks like a Roman has removed his helmet and is sleeping it off behind a hay stack! Nah, he's probably taking a swim in the river or oiling his muscles for a wrestling match.....phew, it's suddenly hot in here.....whooee.....